Education
How does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture is a practice that involves inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body. Modern research suggests that these points are often located in areas where nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue are concentrated.
When an acupuncture needle is inserted, it creates a stimulus that triggers a series of responses throughout the body.
A Signal to the Nervous System
The insertion of an acupuncture needle stimulates sensory nerves in the skin and surrounding tissues. These signals travel through the nervous system to the spinal cord and brain, where they are processed and interpreted.
This response can influence both the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
Local and Whole-Body Effects
Acupuncture is thought to create both local and systemic effects.
At the local level, needling may influence blood flow, connective tissue, muscles and nerves around the treatment area.
At a broader level, the signals generated by acupuncture may affect communication between the nervous system, immune system and endocrine system.
Supporting the Body’s Regulation Systems
Research suggests acupuncture may influence several important body systems, including:
Nervous System
Acupuncture may affect nerves, muscles and the body’s stress response pathways.
Cardiovascular System
Changes in blood flow and circulation have been observed following acupuncture treatment.
Endocrine System
Acupuncture may interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a key system involved in stress regulation and maintaining balance within the body.
Immune System
Some studies suggest acupuncture may influence immune activity and inflammatory responses.
The Goal of Treatment
The primary aim of acupuncture is to support the body’s ability to regulate and restore balance. Rather than acting as a medication, acupuncture is thought to stimulate the body’s own healing and self-regulating mechanisms.
While researchers continue to study exactly how acupuncture works, current understanding suggests that it involves complex interactions between the nervous system, connective tissue, circulation, hormones and immune function.
Below is a recent study for the effects of acupuncture on endometrial receptivity:
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